The Savannah State University (SSU) Honors Program in partnership with The Wright Choice Mentoring Program will host the National Freedom Day observance on Tuesday, February 1. A wreath-laying ceremony will be held on campus at 1 p.m., followed by a virtual live stream presentation at 6 p.m. to include reflections from President Kimberly Ballard-Washington, SSU alumni, students, and representatives from other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Morehouse College, Florida A&M University, Tuskegee University and more. 

The Wright Choice Mentoring Program is named for Savannah State’s first president, Major Richard Robert Wright Sr. Wright is considered the architect of National Freedom Day, established to commemorate President Lincoln’s signing of a resolution proposing the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in the United States. A proclamation naming February 1 National Freedom Day was signed by President Truman in 1948.

"Four generations of President Richard Robert Wright Sr.'s family will participate in the National Freedom Day 2022 virtual celebration, and we believe we are our ancestors ' dreams fulfilled," said Dr. Carolyn Jordan, coordinator of The Wright Choice Mentoring Program.

Participants can live stream the 6 p.m. virtual event by visiting SavannahState.edu or the SSU Student Life YouTube Channel. For more information, contact Dr. Jordan by calling 912-358-3147 or emailing [email protected].